TikTok agrees to withdraw rewards feature after EU raised concerns about potential online addiction
7 months, 3 weeks ago

TikTok agrees to withdraw rewards feature after EU raised concerns about potential online addiction

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy TikTok has agreed to withdraw a rewards feature that raised concerns about its potential to encourage excessive screen time, particularly among children, the European Union’s executive commission said Monday. The commission has however ruled that the withdrawal is legally binding, which “sends a clear message to the entire social media industry,” said Margrethe Vestager, European commission for digital affairs. “That’s why we have made TikTok’s commitments under the DSA legally binding.” The case involves TikTok Lite, a low-bandwidth version of the app released in Spain and France. The commission opened an investigation in April due to concerns that TikTok has not done a diligent assessment required under the act of the feature's potential “addictive effect,” especially for children, "given suspected absence of effective age verification mechanisms on TikTok."

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History of this topic

'Time Away': TikTok enables parents to set screen time limits for teens
3 weeks ago

'Time Away': TikTok enables parents to set screen time limits for teens

Firstpost  

The feature, set for immediate launch in the EU with the US to follow later, allows parents to set time limits or establish time windows for being on TikTok, the company said in a statement on its website TikTok on Tuesday said that parents will now be able to limit screen times for teen users to prevent overexposure to the …

TikTok says to add screen time limits for teens
3 weeks, 1 day ago

TikTok says to add screen time limits for teens

New Indian Express  

PARIS: TikTok said Tuesday it would allow parents to limit the time their teens spend on the app as the Chinese-owned social network confronts political fallout from rising claims that excessive screen time is damaging adolescents' mental health. The feature, set for immediate launch in the EU with the US to follow later, allows parents to set time limits or …

TikTok returns to Apple and Google app stores in the US
1 month, 2 weeks ago

TikTok returns to Apple and Google app stores in the US

Deccan Chronicle  

TikTok has returned to the app stores of Apple and Google in the U.S., after President Donald Trump delayed the enforcement of a TikTok ban.TikTok, which is operated by Chinese technology firm ByteDance, was removed from Apple and Google’s app stores on Jan. 18 to comply with a law that requires ByteDance to divest the app or be banned in …

TikTok is back on the app store, but it’s not safe from another ban. Here’s what happens next
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

TikTok is back on the app store, but it’s not safe from another ban. Here’s what happens next

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy TikTok is back in the U.S. app stores Thursday following …

TikTok ban live updates: Chinese app back after Trump promises to restore it but US redownloads not available
2 months, 1 week ago

TikTok ban live updates: Chinese app back after Trump promises to restore it but US redownloads not available

The Independent  

✕ Close TikTok goes dark in the U.S. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Chinese-owned social media app …

Relieved US TikTok enthusiasts hope 'magic' returns as app is restored
2 months, 1 week ago

Relieved US TikTok enthusiasts hope 'magic' returns as app is restored

Hindustan Times  

* Relieved US TikTok enthusiasts hope 'magic' returns as app is restored Trump reverses previous stance, saves TikTok from ban * Users worry about potential changes in TikTok ownership * Content creators express distrust in government over TikTok ban By Doyinsola Oladipo NEW YORK, - On Saturday night, for the first time in five years, millions of American TikTok users …

TikTok ban sparks outrage, branded as 'PR Stunt' by social media users
2 months, 1 week ago

TikTok ban sparks outrage, branded as 'PR Stunt' by social media users

India Today  

The controversy surrounding TikTok’s temporary ban in the U.S. has ignited heated debates online, with many users calling it a blatant public relations move. In an official statement, TikTok said, “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing …

TikTok ban: Trump signs promised executive action for 75 day delay
2 months, 1 week ago

TikTok ban: Trump signs promised executive action for 75 day delay

CNN  

New York CNN — As he promised Sunday, President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive action that delays enforcement of the TikTok ban for 75 days. “This timing also interferes with my ability to negotiate a resolution to avoid an abrupt shutdown of the TikTok platform while addressing national security concerns.” The action says the 75 day delay will …

Is the Tiktok ban lifted? American users report being able to access the app again after it went dark
2 months, 1 week ago

Is the Tiktok ban lifted? American users report being able to access the app again after it went dark

Daily Mail  

Hope may be on the horizon for millions of TikTok users as the social media platform has shown the first signs of recovery following its dramatic shutdown. TikTok appears to be 'back online' after some users report regaining access to the social media platform - with limited functionality - after the app went dark early Sunday. TikTok appears to be …

Trump says he will issue executive order delaying TikTok ban, proposes 50% US ownership
2 months, 1 week ago

Trump says he will issue executive order delaying TikTok ban, proposes 50% US ownership

Firstpost  

President-elect Donald Trump said he plans to issue an executive order that would give TikTok’s China-based parent company more time to find an approved buyer before the popular video-sharing platform is subject to a permanent U.S.ban. “I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture,” the Republican posted on his Truth Social platform, …

How TikTok became the world’s most controversial app
2 months, 1 week ago

How TikTok became the world’s most controversial app

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. TikTok stopped working in the United States late on Saturday and disappeared from Apple and Google app …

TikTok shuts down as US ban takes effect
2 months, 1 week ago

TikTok shuts down as US ban takes effect

Deccan Chronicle  

Houston: TikTok's app effectively shut down in the US, just hours before a law banning the popular video-sharing platform was set to go into effect. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now, a message reads when American users open the app. It also required web-hosting firms, including TikTok's …

TikTok goes dark in US; disappears from Apple, Google app stores
2 months, 1 week ago

TikTok goes dark in US; disappears from Apple, Google app stores

Hindustan Times  

TikTok has stopped working for users in the United States and disappeared from the Apple and Google app stores as the law banning the social media platform takes effect on Sunday. TikTok ban in US: Amid going dark in the States, the social media platform told its users to “Please stay tuned!”. “Please stay tuned!” Ahead of his January 20 …

TikTok ban US: Trump may give 90-day reprieve on Jan 20, app gears for farewell, users seek alternatives —Top 10 updates
2 months, 1 week ago

TikTok ban US: Trump may give 90-day reprieve on Jan 20, app gears for farewell, users seek alternatives —Top 10 updates

Live Mint  

United States President-elect Donald Trump told news channel NBC that he would “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban when he takes office on Monday, Reuters reported. Trump appeared on NBC on January 18 and addressed concerns about the potential ban on the TikTok app affecting 170 million American users. Experts said Trump could also direct his …

TikTok says it's in the process of restoring service to US
2 months, 1 week ago

TikTok says it's in the process of restoring service to US

Associated Press  

TikTok restored service to users in the United States on Sunday just hours after the popular video-sharing platform went dark in response to a federal ban, which President-elect Donald Trump said he would try to pause by executive order on his first day in office. While the company that runs TikTok in the U.S. said on X that the steps …

TikTok ban comes into effect in US, users can no longer access video-sharing app
2 months, 2 weeks ago

TikTok ban comes into effect in US, users can no longer access video-sharing app

India Today  

TikTok went offline in the US, after a new law banning it came into force on Sunday. Several screenshots of the app, which has over 170 million users in the US, shared on social media showed a message on the short-video platform stating that a law banning TikTok had been enacted, with the message, "Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now". …

‘No plans’ for UK TikTok ban
2 months, 2 weeks ago

‘No plans’ for UK TikTok ban

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy There are “no plans” for a TikTok ban in the UK, officials have …

How TikTok Creators Are Preparing For A Ban On 'A Really Special Platform'
Top News
2 months, 2 weeks ago

How TikTok Creators Are Preparing For A Ban On 'A Really Special Platform'

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Big changes could be coming for TikTok influencers in the next few days. 2020 was a ‘wake-up call.’ Benjamin de Almeida, who is known as @benoftheweek on social media, said the previous efforts to ban TikTok under the Trump administration served as a “wake-up call” for him. thank you @Anthony Po for letting me judge the timothee …

TikTok prepares to shut down app in US on Sunday: Report
2 months, 2 weeks ago

TikTok prepares to shut down app in US on Sunday: Report

Deccan Chronicle  

Washington/New York: TikTok plans to shut U.S. operations of its social media app used by 170 million Americans on Sunday, when a federal ban is set to take effect, barring a last-minute reprieve, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Shutting down TikTok in the U.S. could make it unavailable for users in many other countries, the company said …

TikTok is holding out for Trump to reverse ban
2 months, 2 weeks ago

TikTok is holding out for Trump to reverse ban

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In comments made at the latest hearing, TikTok’s lawyers claimed that Trump could reverse the ban, however …

TikTok is holding out for Trump to reverse ban
2 months, 2 weeks ago

TikTok is holding out for Trump to reverse ban

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In comments made at the latest hearing, TikTok’s lawyers claimed that Trump could reverse the ban, however …

TikTok knew its livestreams exploit children, Utah lawsuit claims
2 months, 3 weeks ago

TikTok knew its livestreams exploit children, Utah lawsuit claims

The Hindu  

TikTok has long known its video livestreams encourage sexual conduct and exploit children yet turned a blind eye because it "profited significantly" from them, according to newly unsealed material in a lawsuit by the state of Utah. Utah's original lawsuit accusing TikTok of exploiting children was filed last June by the state's Division of Consumer Protection, with state Attorney General …

Small businesses brace themselves for potentially disruptive TikTok ban
3 months ago

Small businesses brace themselves for potentially disruptive TikTok ban

Associated Press  

A looming TikTok ban could affect the millions of small businesses that use the short-video social media app to help them grow their business. According to TikTok’s own estimates, small businesses on TikTok would lose more than $1 billion in revenue in a single month if the ban goes into effect. The Justice Department ordered the app’s China-based parent company, …

Safety is ‘at the core’ of TikTok, European executive says
4 months ago

Safety is ‘at the core’ of TikTok, European executive says

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The safety of TikTok users “is at the core of the platform”, one …

TikTok has known about how the app can harm teens and preteens, new documents show
5 months, 2 weeks ago

TikTok has known about how the app can harm teens and preteens, new documents show

NPR  

TikTok has known about how the app can harm teens and preteens, new documents show AYESHA RASCOE, HOST: TikTok executives were acutely aware of the potential dangers the app could cause to teens but appeared unconcerned, even though the company's own internal research validated the fears child safety advocates have been raising for years. But in internal documents, TikTok admitted …

Inside the TikTok documents: Stripping teens and boosting 'attractive' people
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Inside the TikTok documents: Stripping teens and boosting 'attractive' people

NPR  

Inside the TikTok documents: Stripping teens and boosting 'attractive' people toggle caption Damian Dovarganes/AP Kids as young as 15 were stripping on TikTok’s live feature fueled by adults who were paying for it. TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes beautiful people When TikTok’s main video feed saw “a high volume of … not attractive subjects” filling everyone’s screens, the app rejiggered its algorithm …

TikTok executives know about app’s effect on teens, lawsuit documents allege
5 months, 3 weeks ago

TikTok executives know about app’s effect on teens, lawsuit documents allege

NPR  

TikTok executives know about app’s effect on teens, lawsuit documents allege toggle caption Sebastien Bozon/AFP via Getty Images For the first time, internal TikTok communications have been made public that show a company unconcerned with the harms the app poses for American teenagers. “Unfortunately, this complaint cherry-picks misleading quotes and takes outdated documents out of context to misrepresent our commitment …

Kentucky AG inadvertently reveals messages showing TikTok execs knew app could harm teens: report
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Kentucky AG inadvertently reveals messages showing TikTok execs knew app could harm teens: report

Salon  

A review of TikTok's internal communications suggests executives were aware the app could potentially harm teens because of its addictive nature but pursued them as users anyway, according to NPR. The company's communications reveal that employees knew the app could harm teens' mental health if they spent too much time on it, according to NPR. Among the revelations: TikTok users …

TikTok withdraws 'Lite' rewards from EU to comply with tech rules
7 months, 3 weeks ago

TikTok withdraws 'Lite' rewards from EU to comply with tech rules

The Hindu  

ByteDance's TikTok has agreed to permanently withdraw its TikTok Lite rewards programme from the EU to comply with the bloc's Digital Services Act, the European Commission said on Monday. TikTok Lite has a "Reward Programme" that allows users to earn points while performing certain tasks on the platform such as watching videos, liking content, following creators or inviting friends to …

More than 3 billion people are currently banned from using TikTok
11 months, 1 week ago

More than 3 billion people are currently banned from using TikTok

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy TikTok is facing the prospect of being banned or unavailable for nearly half …

TikTok bows to European pressure and halts reward feature on new app in France and Spain
11 months, 1 week ago

TikTok bows to European pressure and halts reward feature on new app in France and Spain

Associated Press  

LONDON — TikTok said Wednesday that it’s halting a feature on its new app rewarding users in Europe for watching videos, after facing pressure from regulators worried about its addictive features. The company backed down days after the European Union warned that the TikTok Lite app might have breached the 27-nation bloc’s digital regulations when it launched earlier this month. …

The EU ratchets up pressure on TikTok’s new rewards app over risks to kids, warns of suspension
11 months, 1 week ago

The EU ratchets up pressure on TikTok’s new rewards app over risks to kids, warns of suspension

Associated Press  

LONDON — The European Union on Monday demanded TikTok provide more information about a new app that pays users to watch videos and warned that it could order the video sharing platform to suspend addictive features that pose a risk to kids. The 27-nation EU’s executive Commission said it was opening formal proceedings to determine whether TikTok Lite breached the …

EU threatens to suspend TikTok Lite app’s rewards feature
11 months, 1 week ago

EU threatens to suspend TikTok Lite app’s rewards feature

Al Jazeera  

European Commission says the app has ‘risks of serious damage for the mental health of users’, including minors. The European Union has launched a probe into TikTok’s spinoff Lite app and threatened to suspend an “addictive” feature on it that rewards users for watching and liking videos, amid child-safety concerns. TikTok Lite arrived in France and Spain in March allowing …

European Union questions TikTok on new app that pays users for watching
11 months, 2 weeks ago

European Union questions TikTok on new app that pays users for watching

Associated Press  

LONDON — European Union regulators said Wednesday they’re seeking details from TikTok on a new app from the video sharing platform that pays users to watch videos. The European Commission said it sent TikTok a “request for information” on the TikTok Lite app that has been quietly released in France and Spain. The commission said the app lets users earn …

TikTok urges US users to call senators to vote no on TikTok ban
1 year ago

TikTok urges US users to call senators to vote no on TikTok ban

The Hindu  

TikTok displayed a notification to some U.S. users on Friday, urging them to call their senators and ask them to vote no to a bill that would ban the popular short-form video app if it is not divested from Chinese tech company ByteDance. Ask them to vote no on the TikTok ban," the notice said, which allowed users to enter …

TikTok CEO responds to passing of Congressional bill banning app in US
1 year ago

TikTok CEO responds to passing of Congressional bill banning app in US

Daily Mail  

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew issued a response - in the form of a TikTok clip - after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass legislature that could ban the platform in the United States. President Joe Biden has committed to signing the bill, which would force ByteDance to sell TikTok within six months or be banned from app …

TikTok ‘put kids in danger’ by not removing ‘challenge’ videos, claim grieving parents
1 year, 1 month ago

TikTok ‘put kids in danger’ by not removing ‘challenge’ videos, claim grieving parents

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. We’ve lost our children – from someone putting these videos on our phones.” open …

TikTok faces European Union scrutiny for possible breaches of strict new digital rulebook
1 year, 1 month ago

TikTok faces European Union scrutiny for possible breaches of strict new digital rulebook

Associated Press  

LONDON — The European Union said Monday it is investigating whether TikTok has broken the bloc’s strict new digital rules for cleaning up social media and keeping internet users safe. The European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, said it has “opened formal proceedings to assess” whether TikTok has breached the Digital Services Act, which took effect last year. The commission …

TikTok trials advert-free paid subscription plan
1 year, 5 months ago

TikTok trials advert-free paid subscription plan

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy TikTok is trialling a new …

TikTok is hit with $368 million fine under Europe's strict data privacy rules
1 year, 6 months ago

TikTok is hit with $368 million fine under Europe's strict data privacy rules

The Hindu  

European regulators slapped TikTok with a $368 million fine on Friday for failing to protect children's privacy, the first time that the popular short video-sharing app has been punished for breaching Europe's strict data privacy rules. Ireland's Data Protection Commission, the lead privacy regulator for Big Tech companies whose European headquarters are largely in Dublin, said it was fining TikTok …

TikTok is hit with $368 million fine under Europe’s strict data privacy rules
1 year, 6 months ago

TikTok is hit with $368 million fine under Europe’s strict data privacy rules

Associated Press  

LONDON — European regulators slapped TikTok with a $368 million fine on Friday for failing to protect children’s privacy, the first time that the popular short video-sharing app has been punished for breaching Europe’s strict data privacy rules. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission, the lead privacy regulator for Big Tech companies whose European headquarters are largely in Dublin, said it was …

TikTok unveils changes to meet tough new EU rules
1 year, 7 months ago

TikTok unveils changes to meet tough new EU rules

The Hindu  

Video-sharing platform TikTok announced Friday changes to meet strict EU rules including allowing European users to turn off the addictive feature that shows content based on their interests. Heeding that warning, TikTok said it would allow users in Europe "to turn off personalisation", referring to the "For You" feed that keeps people watching videos with recommended content based on their …

TikTok fined £12.7m for ‘letting 1.4m underage children in UK use app’
1 year, 11 months ago

TikTok fined £12.7m for ‘letting 1.4m underage children in UK use app’

The Independent  

TikTok has received a £12.7m fine from UK regulators because it “failed to use children’s personal data lawfully” and “did not do enough” to prevent underage children from using its platform. “As a consequence, an estimated one million under-13s were inappropriately granted access to the platform, with TikTok collecting and using their personal data. They did not do enough to …

Portuguese NGO sues TikTok, says platform 'profits from children'
1 year, 11 months ago

Portuguese NGO sues TikTok, says platform 'profits from children'

The Hindu  

A Portugal-based European consumer protection group has sued short-video app TikTok for allegedly allowing children aged under 13 to sign up for an account without parental consent and failing to implement measures to protect them. The lawsuit came a day after Britain's data watchdog said it had fined TikTok 12.7 million pounds for breaching data protection law, including by using …

TikTok fined $15.9 million by U.K. watchdog over misuse of kids' data
1 year, 11 months ago

TikTok fined $15.9 million by U.K. watchdog over misuse of kids' data

The Hindu  

Britain’s privacy watchdog hit TikTok with a multimillion-dollar penalty Tuesday for misusing children's data and violating other protections for young users' personal information. The British watchdog, which was investigating data breaches between May 2018 and July 2020, said TikTok allowed as many as 1.4 million children in the U.K. under 13 to use the app in 2020, despite the platform's …

TikTok fined $15.9M by UK watchdog over misuse of kids’ data
1 year, 11 months ago

TikTok fined $15.9M by UK watchdog over misuse of kids’ data

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s privacy watchdog hit TikTok with a multimillion-dollar penalty Tuesday for misusing children’s data and violating other protections for young users’ personal information. The British watchdog, which was investigating data breaches between May 2018 and July 2020, said TikTok allowed as many as 1.4 million children in the U.K. under 13 to use the app in 2020, despite …

UK fines TikTok $15.9m over misuse of children’s data
1 year, 11 months ago

UK fines TikTok $15.9m over misuse of children’s data

Al Jazeera  

Watchdog says TikTok failed to get consent from parents to process the data, as required by the United Kingdom’s data protection laws. The UK’s privacy watchdog hit TikTok with a multimillion-dollar penalty for misusing children’s data and violating other protections for young users’ personal information. The British watchdog, which was investigating data breaches between May 2018 and July 2020, said …

Watch as TikTok influencers rally against potential US ban at US Capitol
2 years ago

Watch as TikTok influencers rally against potential US ban at US Capitol

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Watch as TikTok influencers push back against a proposed US …

TikTok hits 150 million US monthly users, up from 100 million in 2020
2 years ago

TikTok hits 150 million US monthly users, up from 100 million in 2020

Live Mint  

TikTok said on Monday the short-video sharing app now has 150 million monthly active users in the United States, up from 100 million it said it had in 2020. On Friday, six more U.S. senators backed bipartisan legislation to give President Joe Biden new powers to ban TikTok on national security grounds. Last week, TikTok said the Biden administration demanded …

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